Save money, Don't get a crate engine! ...

[TLSTWIN]

Originally Posted by CWIweldace

Maybe you want to consider a block and heads too. The LS3 block is only recommended to a max of 550 HP. All these people expecting to go to 600 + HP will probably end up regretting the "boost".

As for the early post comparing the LS9 to the LS3, the only thing the same is the main journal diameter of the crank. Beefier block, different stroke different internals, different heads

Not sure if you ment to include the beefier block as part of "the same" or not, but they are the same.

I just wanted to clarify that, I couldn't tell by your punctuation where you meant that.

[shuukazedojo]

Recently, I was able to see the LS7 Concept in person and fell in love with it. I may have an opportunity to get a "company car" in the near future and since I work for a performance shop, the new Camaro is a good choice. After reading this thread I've had some time to reflect. You see, originally, I thought it would be trick to drop the LS7 in the car to make it like the concept. But why? I think there's this idea that better is better. Obviously, there are some improvements over the LS3 on the LS7 otherwise it wouldn't have been developed. But are those improvements necessary for what I use the car for? NOPE! Better isn't always better, I say. The LS3 will produce more than enough power to wipe the smirks off the faces of any would be challengers and certainly put a few on the faces of some Camaro fans.

The truth is that most of us won't be taking this brand new car to the strip or the track. We probably won't NEED as much power as the LS3 has. BUT, it's nice to know it's there. It's nice to know that when that Suckstang or Challengederer pulls up beside you, you can throw a little gravel on their hood, beat em to the restaurant up the street, and have breakfast before they finally make their way down the road with heads hung low in shame. But I digress...

I think some reasonable modifications to the stock LS3 will be more than enough to set it apart and give it that little extra sumtin sumtin.

Also, no one has mentioned brakes. Do you guys feel the stock brakes are enough to handle the kind of load you're suggesting putting on the car? There are two ways to stop a car: brakes or boom. )

I'm curious too, who all is going to get the engine cover like they had on the concept?

[shuukazedojo]

Recently, I was able to see the LS7 Concept in person and fell in love with it. I may have an opportunity to get a "company car" in the near future and since I work for a performance shop, the new Camaro is a good choice. After reading this thread I've had some time to reflect. You see, originally, I thought it would be trick to drop the LS7 in the car to make it like the concept. But why? I think there's this idea that better is better. Obviously, there are some improvements over the LS3 on the LS7 otherwise it wouldn't have been developed. But are those improvements necessary for what I use the car for? NOPE! Better isn't always better, I say. The LS3 will produce more than enough power to wipe the smirks off the faces of any would be challengers and certainly put a few on the faces of some Camaro fans.

The truth is that most of us won't be taking this brand new car to the strip or the track. We probably won't NEED as much power as the LS3 has. BUT, it's nice to know it's there. It's nice to know that when that Suckstang or Challengederer pulls up beside you, you can throw a little gravel on their hood, beat em to the restaurant up the street, and have breakfast before they finally make their way down the road with heads hung low in shame. But I digress...

I think some reasonable modifications to the stock LS3 will be more than enough to set it apart and give it that little extra sumtin sumtin.

Also, no one has mentioned brakes. Do you guys feel the stock brakes are enough to handle the kind of load you're suggesting putting on the car? There are two ways to stop a car: brakes or boom. )

I'm curious too, who all is going to get the engine cover like they had on the concept?

[CWI]

Originally Posted by TLSTWIN

Not sure if you ment to include the beefier block as part of "the same" or not, but they are the same.

I just wanted to clarify that, I couldn't tell by your punctuation where you meant that.

Maybe i am not reading it right but in the GMPP catalog, I interpret it to say the LS9 uses a strengthened LS3 block. Not the SAME LS3 block.

Also the piston in the LS3 will not withstand 600+HP for long. The following paragraph is copied straight from GMPP catalog.

Pistons
The LS9 is the only production LS engine with forged aluminum pistons; all the
other engines use hypereutectic (cast) aluminum alloy pistons—varied mostly
by diameter to accommodate various bore sizes. LS cast pistons shouldn’t
be used on applications greater than approximately 550 horsepower. The LS7
piston’s inner bracing and larger pin diameter require the use of the matching
LS7 connecting rod. The same is true for LS9 pistons; they require the use of LS9
connecting rods.
It will be interesting to see in a few months if people will tell their stories of fried pistons and broken rods or cranks. It's like putting a 200 watt bulb in a 60 watt light fixture. It will work great untill it burns your house down.

From what I see, if someone wants 505 HP, why spend $10K-14K or whatever it costs for a LS7? Just a cam, intake and true performance exhaust will push the LS3 to around 500HP for about half the cost. By true performance exhaust I mean LT headers, high flow or no cats and high flow cat back. I can't see the shorties offered by GM giving much of a gain. The stock exhaust bolts to the shorties, they still have the same diameter restriction at that point.
Just my .02

[CWI]

Originally Posted by shuukazedojo

Also, no one has mentioned brakes. Do you guys feel the stock brakes are enough to handle the kind of load you're suggesting putting on the car? There are two ways to stop a car: brakes or boom. )

The brakes on the new Camaro should be plenty adequate. I don't remember the numbers but 60 to 0 was very respectable.

My Colly weighs just a bit more than the Camaro. It surprises me sometimes when I bear down on the brakes just how fast it will stop. That's with discs on front and drums on the rear.

The Camaro braking should do fine with 4 wheel discs.

[VICTORY RED 1SS]

What size is the ring gear in the Camaro?

[99b4c]

Originally Posted by VICTORY RED 1SS

What size is the ring gear in the Camaro?

I hope around 9" in diameter, a 9.25" ring gear would be awesome IMO.

[Mr Twisty]

Originally Posted by PieNsky

I don't agree with that statement...dang, it didn't make me feel any younger

shut up stoopid head







...nope me either

[TLSTWIN]

Originally Posted by CWIweldace

Maybe i am not reading it right but in the GMPP catalog, I interpret it to say the LS9 uses a strengthened LS3 block. Not the SAME LS3 block.

Also the piston in the LS3 will not withstand 600+HP for long. The following paragraph is copied straight from GMPP catalog.

Pistons
The LS9 is the only production LS engine with forged aluminum pistons; all the
other engines use hypereutectic (cast) aluminum alloy pistons—varied mostly
by diameter to accommodate various bore sizes. LS cast pistons shouldn’t
be used on applications greater than approximately 550 horsepower. The LS7
piston’s inner bracing and larger pin diameter require the use of the matching
LS7 connecting rod. The same is true for LS9 pistons; they require the use of LS9
connecting rods.
It will be interesting to see in a few months if people will tell their stories of fried pistons and broken rods or cranks. It's like putting a 200 watt bulb in a 60 watt light fixture. It will work great untill it burns your house down.

From what I see, if someone wants 505 HP, why spend $10K-14K or whatever it costs for a LS7? Just a cam, intake and true performance exhaust will push the LS3 to around 500HP for about half the cost. By true performance exhaust I mean LT headers, high flow or no cats and high flow cat back. I can't see the shorties offered by GM giving much of a gain. The stock exhaust bolts to the shorties, they still have the same diameter restriction at that point.
Just my .02

I am trying to find were I saw that GM started beefing up ALL the LS3 blocks in 2007 a little, then all the LS3 blocks in 2008 and after will all be the same. They also made a note to be careful as to what year LS3 they get depending on what they plan on doing to it.

[Emjay]

Pipe dreams No way! C'mon guys! Wheres the economy lol lets help it out! When I got my 3rd gen back the Vette "doctor" had done all sorts of amazing things ... its so much better now. I asked him to treat it like it was his and dropped 4g's and on my 3rd gen. I can't wait to drop off my fourth gen later this month. I need all my camaros looking good for the time the new baby comes home

[undeadswamp]